According to reports reaching our newsroom, the RVIPF took up its post at the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) headquarters in Port Purcell on July 1, 2022.

RVIPF officers stationed @ Port Purcell

The officers are to be stationed at the Ports security checkpoint.

Our newsroom was also informed by sources at the BVIPA that police officers will also be stationed at the ports of entry in Road Town and Beef Island.

The RVIPF, via its Media Liaison Diane L. Drayton, confirmed that the officers have been stationed at Port Purcell.

According to the ‘Framework for Implementation of the Recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and Other Reforms’, Cabinet approved joint responsibility between the relevant government agencies and the RVIPF for security of all ports, including airports, under the command of the Force, until security concerns are effectively addressed and new constitutional and legal arrangements have been considered.

In keeping with recommendations made by the Commissioner of the Inquiry on governance in the Virgin Islands for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to take up the responsibility of security at the ports of entry, the RVIPF has since assigned police officers to Port Purcell.

Hypocrisy & irony

Recommendation B40 of the CoI Report states that the Governor orders an investigation into corruption within HM Customs by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.

Many have been left baffled as to why the CoI Commissioner has ordered an investigation into corruption into HM Customs and not the RVIPF, which has been rocked by corruption and scandals under UK national, Commissioner Mark Collins.

Many have been wondering if it was payback for HM Customs exposing the RVIPF for lying to the public about police officers using government vessels for leisure activities.